The Veteran's right trapezius strain affecting Group I muscles is granted a 30 percent rating effective from September 6, 2019.,The Veteran's left trapezius strain affecting Group I muscles is granted a 20 percent rating effective from September 6, 2019.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's right and left trapezius strains have been manifested by at least four cardinal signs or symptoms of muscle disability (consistent loss of power, consistent weakness, occasional lowered threshold of fatigue, and consistent fatigue-pain bilaterally), objective finding of reduced strength with left shoulder abduction, and increased muscle tone without any evidence of loss of deep fascia or muscle substance. These findings meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating under DC 5301.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Trapezius Strain, Left Trapezius Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23018839
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23018839.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's claimed joint disorders and dysthymic disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left trapezius strain is manifested by tenderness on palpation and does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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